Scientific Poster Session III - Research Fellowship Platform

Research Fellowship Platform Applicants
  Monday, October 14, 2024
  01:00 PM–02:30 PM

Abstract

Introduction:

Prior research found four-fifths of Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) boards included at least one physician-member who accepted payments from pharmaceutical companies (PCs). Evidence suggests such payments influence prescribing behaviors, raising concerns about financial biases in PDL decisions. Given the impact on pharmacy practice, we analyzed payments to all PDL board recipients in the CMS Open Payments database, with a more granular analysis of payment types, subgroups, and a longer timeframe.

Research Question or Hypothesis:

How do PC payments to Medicaid PDL board members differ by type, amount, and frequency, overall and across different subgroups?

Study Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional study of PC payments to Medicaid PDL board members from 2019-2022.

Methods:

Forty-seven states with PDLs and their boards were identified. Roster names were obtained from state webpages, archived records, the Wayback Machine, and public record requests. Member details were collected using the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System and were matched to CMS Open Payments data for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Members not confirmed as unique individuals were excluded. The primary outcomes were the type, amount, and frequency of payments across subgroups. Data were compiled in Excel and analyzed using R Studio.

Results:

We collected 92% of available roster years, totaling 711 members, with 345 confirmed covered recipients included for analysis. PC payments were accepted by 57% (196/345) of covered recipients and 44/47 PDL boards. There were 11,048 payments totaling $14.6 million; food and beverage was the most common payment type (8,858 payments), while research had the highest dollar amount ($13.2 million). The top 10 recipients accepted 77% of all non-research dollars.

Conclusion:

Payments from PCs to PDL boards is common, with large variations in amounts and types, and a select few receiving the majority. PDL decisions that affect pharmacy practice are influenced by members who have potential financial conflicts of interest.

Presenting Author

Duncan Dobbins PharmD, BSPF
Geisinger

Authors

Marcus Bachhuber MD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Brian Piper PHD, MS
Giesinger

Eric Wright PharmD MPH
Geisinger